Cafe Society: A cordial welcome
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Victorian cordial made from the English hedgerows may not be the first thing you'd think of drinking with your bowl of noodles but, as Nikki Spencer found out, elderflower is proving so popular in trendy new Japanese canteens like Wagamama in Soho that manufacturers are now exporting it all the way to Japan
The combination of a 1990s food such as noodles with a soft drink dating from the 1890s is not as bizarre as it may first seem, according to Michael Haigh, sales director at Thorncroft, the company that first started manufacturing elderflower cordial 10 years ago.
"Elderflower is, in fact, ideally suited to the new wave of Japanese and oriental foods as it has a delicate flavour that complements the taste of the food, rather than overpowering it," he explains.
The company's managing director, Guy Woodall, came up with the idea for the cordial after leafing through one of his granny's old recipe books. He made a batch, took it to a few food and drink shows and was met with such an enthusiastic response that he went into production.
Other manufacturers have followed suit, with alternative flavours ranging from nettle, to ginger and lemongrass, and now the market is reckoned to be worth about pounds 25m.
As well as exporting to Japan, Thorncroft also ships elderflower cordial to The Middle East, Canada, America, South Africa and throughout Europe.
The only country that has not shown any interest so far, according to Haigh, is France. "If they want to drink alcohol, they just drink wine and if they don't, they drink water," he explains.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments